Direct Action Saves Home: Marshfield Fire Chief Honors Local Heroes
Review Downtown Improvements & Summer Health Initiatives
MARSHFIELD - June 1, 2026 - The Marshfield Select Board opened its meeting with a packed house as Fire Chief Michael LeSelva presented a formal citation to residents Adam and Nolan Gerbutavich. The father and seven-year-old son were recognized for their rapid, brave actions on May 9, when they discovered a fast-moving fire at a neighbor’s home, successfully evacuated two elderly residents, and knocked down the exterior flames using a personal fire extinguisher before emergency crews arrived.
The Full Story
The meeting began at 5:32 p.m. with newly appointed Chair Rick Smith and Board Member Eric S. Kelley present. Chief LeSelva quickly took the podium for a special moment of recognition. He detailed a structure fire that occurred on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 29 Anderson Drive. Marshfield Fire engines arrived within five minutes of the 2:44 p.m. dispatch call, but the home was saved from total destruction because of the quick instincts of the family living next door at 30 Anderson Drive.
Seven-year-old Nolan Gerbutavich, a first-grader at Daniel Webster School, first spotted smoke coming from the adjacent house while outside holding flowers for Mother’s Day. He immediately alerted his father, 51-year-old Adam Gerbutavich.
The Board watched home doorbell camera footage showcasing the timeline. The video captured Nolan telling his father that something was wrong, followed by the smoke quickly turning dark and thick as the flames climbed the exterior siding toward an attached garage and attic space. Adam ran across the street to alert the residents—an elderly couple in their 70s who were sitting inches away from the burning wall inside, completely unaware of the danger. After assisting them out of the home, Adam ran back to his own garage, retrieved a 10-pound dry chemical fire extinguisher, and ran back toward the flames to suppress the bulk of the fire.
Chief LeSelva noted that Adam’s professional background as an elevator repair technician with Local 4 provided him with the exact training needed to safely select and deploy the extinguisher. While the chief stated the department generally advises residents to keep a safe distance, he emphasized that the family’s bravery directly bought fire crews the crucial minutes needed to fully contain the fire to its area of origin.
“I noticed the fire... I alerted them already and I say, ‘Dad, this does not look right that really much.’... One of the definitions of bravery, Nolan, is doing the right thing even when you’re nervous.” [15:57] — Nolan Gerbutavich & Chair Rick Smith
Why It Matters
The recognition highlights the vital role of community vigilance and neighbors looking out for one another. The actions prevented a devastating, potentially fatal residential fire. For the town, it puts a spotlight on localized safety training and celebrates a successful emergency response where property damage was minimized and no injuries occurred.
